ESPN reportedly picks up another bowl’s broadcast rights

Posted by Ben Kercheval on July 30, 2012, 12:29 PM EDT

AP

ESPN’s 12-year TV extension with the Rose Bowl and its conference tie-ins (Big Ten and Pac-12) is said to be worth $80 million annually. The only other postseason/alternating semifinal game expected to come close to that kind of payout was the yet-to-officially-be-named Champions Bowl between the Big 12 and SEC conference champions.

The news means the WWL would have broadcast rights for two major postseason games, and is “closing in” on the rights for the three-game playoff package. ESPN will also have a good shot at the Orange Bowl. Talks between the ACC and Notre Dame on the Irish becoming a tie-in opponent have already taken place.

As for Champions Bowl site bidding? That should be starting in earnest, and multiple reports indicate that Dallas is the favorite to land the game. In that case, it would almost certainly take on the Cotton Bowl title.